Path connecting Stone Hollow and Highview Trail Pl

The impediment to placing the tot lot in this location is that this action invalidates the premise upon which several of us entered a contract with VM. An action that we feel is worthy of legal action. If the community pursues this, we and our neighbors will steadfastly continue to fight it.

I implore the community - if you wish to have a tot lot within walking distance, please request it on the other side of Claiborne. Put the pressure on VM to place it clearly on the plans in the new section across Claiborne and not hide it from potential buyers. I realize that this might take time, but at this rate so will a fight to get it on Stone Hollow.

There is a way to get the tot lot without screwing any of your neighbors. VM should be forced to do business in an honest manner, and they must live up to their motto of "Building Trust for Generations".

 

One more thing....there is an existing area in the plans for across Claiborne for "passive" park area. It is visible on current plans. This is where the tot lot should go, where it has already been advertised as allocated for community use.

 

I agree that the tot lot should be advertised and built in the new section. Buyers should know in advance and have the option to purchase or pass knowing of the tot lot location. I'm surprised that the tot lot at the nature center, a mile at most from the houses furthest away on the Ridgeway section, is "too far" for people to walk for play time with their tot. How close does it have to be to be convenient enough? Yes, I have children, and yes we walk to the nature center and love the paths or walk through the neighborhhood.

 

Tiny, how old are your kids? My kids are too little to play on that playground by the Nature Center. To me, the words "tot lot" imply something that my 2 and 3 year olds can play on. That playground, IMHO, is for bigger children which is why I was happy that a tot lot would be going in as well for the smaller children.

Of course, now it appears that IF anything is ever built at all, my kids will be in highschool by then and it will be moot for us.

 

Not sure if this is meant to be a "dig" at the HOA resident members, but if it is, I will respond why I remained fairly quiet on the issue:

1. The areas in question are under control of the Developer until such time that they are essentially complete, meet county proffer requirements, and are then turned over to the HOA.

2. At no time has the Developer discussed their plans for amenities in these areas with the HOA.

3. At no time has the HOA had any authority to dictate to the Developer what they will build.

4. The Developer has no responsibility to the residents other than to provide amenities as required by the Broadlands proffers when the community was established. Neither the Developer or the County requires any form of HOA approval for this.

5. This issue came up several months ago and was discussed at an HOA meeting. At that time Van Metre, advised they would build a tot lot on the other side of Claiborne in the new section and would look at putting other equipment on the play area by the Nature Center Tennis Courts. That person, Pat Leader, was not at yesterday's meeting so I don't know what the latest is.

6. I heard the following from residents at the meeting and on these Forums.
a) I saw a tot lot on the plans and want a tot lot build where originally planned.
The removal of the tot lot devalues my property.
b) I didn't see a tot lot on the plans, do not want one there, and if built there it would devalue my property.
c) If not built in the old location, would like one built in the new location at Claiborne/Stone Hollow.
d) Residents near the new location do not want a tot lot there, it would devalue their property.
e) The Van Metre Board member commented that the tot lot was on some of their plans, and not on others.

This is why I choose to remain reserved about this issue. I will continue to work with Van Metre to see if they will still look at building one elsewhere or adding to the one by the Nature Center.

There are many homes in Broadlands that live fairly long distances away from any tot lot.

Lastly, there was a WashingtonPost.com reporter at our meeting last night. In talking to her today, she understands the frustration that residents have with Developers. Don't know whether she deemed it worthy for reporting or follow-up.

 

So can Van Metre advertise these wonderful community ammenities in brochures and site plans in a way to lure potential buyers and families and not be held responsible to follow through? They can just move their plans around now that our section is completed and not think that people will want them to follow through on their marketing of community amenities? Does anyone know if other advertised amenities have been dropped by Van Metre? And what about accountability? How did some homeowners who purchased lots along Stone Hollow know about the tot lot and others did not? Which has yes, been discussed, but what is the accountability for Van Metre's salesforce? Since we were aware of a tot lot and very much wanted that amenity for our small children, now we do without since it seems people can't get their communication lines together? And I agree with Sharse, my child is too young for the Nature Center lot. Sounds like false advertising to me.

 

Yes. Yes. Yes. Accountable only to the County. Don't know, I saw it on some advertising brochures. None. Yes.
Stinks, doesn't it? TerraBrook was very good about discussing changes with the community, meeting with residents and getting input. Van Metre is not so good at it.

 

Not surprisingly, I completely agree with Merlin on this.

Among other things, the following items were discussed at the HOA meeting last night:
1) resident whose property backs up to the "sledding" hill across from the Sunoco had his house egged
2) beer bottles and used condoms at the Hillside playground

The "original" location of the tot lot is not adjacent to any street or parking area, which would seem to make it an especially appealing late-night hangout spot. At this point, we will continue to make every attempt to preserve not only our property value, but also our future sanity.

 

Absolutely not, I attempted to accurately represent the facts. Please feel free to correct me where appropriate. My observation was simply that the HOA was silent (which it was), and now we know why. Sorry if it read that way, as tone is difficult to perceive from text. Based on your response, it sounds like the HOA is powerless to advise, advocate, suggest, or propose resolutions to the developer. Thank you for the feedback.

 

Update: I have reached out to VM and am waiting for a person who is out of the office to return on Monday the 16th.

I have also reached out to the county and will have more information soon. Apparently these things take time.

Thank you to all who provided support and contacted me privately. Please continue to spread the word and feel free to pass along my contact information.

Below is some information taken from the county.

“Active open space generally should be located within 1500 feet of all residences within residential neighborhoods. In Residential Neighborhoods recreational areas should be open to the surrounding streets and contribute to a sense of spaciousness. While protection and integration of the natural features of a site through conservation design techniques will be paramount, usable open space such as squares and greens generally should be flat and well drained and have a minimum size of 10,000 square feet fronting on a local street.

Community, district, and County parks generally will be located between Residential Neighborhoods and be reached on foot, by means of sidewalks on local access streets and/or trail connections or by automobile on primary or secondary collector roads. While topography, vegetation, hydrology, proposed use, and design intentions should determine the location of playing fields and placement of community centers, bleachers, and other structures in these parks, significant park buildings generally should be located along and be very visible from the secondary collector roads linking neighborhoods, town centers, and should be near the areas served.”


“Open space not only lends scenic beauty, it also provides space for recreational activity. It is important that active recreation open space be readily accessible (i.e., pedestrian-oriented) and, when it is located in a residential area, commonly owned, either by a homeowner’s association or by the public. Neighborhood parks should be numerous and easily accessed by the pedestrian and bicyclist. The County’s overall goal is for open space to be within 1,500 feet of every residence in the Suburban Policy Area. “

In Residential Areas, a mix of open space will be provided. This mix will include active and passive and/or natural open space areas as appropriate to the scale and location of the site. Types of active recreation open space include ballfields, tennis or basketball courts, swimming pools, tot lots, golf courses, dog parks, and other areas for recreational sports or games. Types of passive open space include trails (hiking, biking, walking, or equestrian), picnic, camping, hunting, or fishing areas. Natural open space is land left in a mostly undeveloped state including forests, meadows, hedgerows, and wetlands.

All dwelling units will have an open space area (active, passive, or natural) located within 1,500 feet.

Residential developments in the Suburban Policy Area must have 30 percent of the land designated as open space. Up to 50 percent of the required open space, excluding RSCOD, may be obtained offsite within the same suburban community. Offsite open space can include priority open space areas, greenbelts, and components of the green infrastructure.
9.Areas included on the following list will fulfill the open-space ratio requirement of the land-use mix defined for residential communities:

a. Community parks that are at least 3 acres in size;

b. Neighborhood parks that are at least 20,000 square feet in size;

c. Pocket parks, landscaped gardens, and greens that are at least 2,500 square feet in size;

d. Linear path systems that connect to off-site path systems. Multi-modal path systems will conform to American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) standards;

e. Required perimeter buffers (not to comprise more than 25 percent of the open space)

f. Community gardens at least 2,500 square feet in size;

g. Tot lots that are a minimum of 5,000 square feet in size; and

h. The RSCOD that does not comprise more than 50 percent of the required open space in a community

i. Equestrian trails

j. Water features such as ponds and lakes that are wet year-round. Storm water management facilities will not be included unless they are developed as year-round amenities. (e.g., with gazebos, picnic areas, or walking paths added.)

 

I can, and do, try. They simply don't have to listen to me. I'm still trying to get them to do something. I know there is NO solution that will make everyone happy, but getting something would be better than nothing.
Don't worry Merlin, I DO NOT support them building the lot at Stone Hollow/Claiborne!

 

Cliff,

On progress two months later where are we with this? I would really like a playground where I can get the kids to quickly

 

Van Metre is planning on a smaller scale tot lot in the original location as well as something in the new section across Claiborne.
I don't have any details.

 

This is great news... what can I do to get them to start the building..... (can I call or email somebody)

 

HaHaHaHaHaHa ... you're talking VM time, where days are weeks, weeks, are months, and months are years. Trying to get them pinned down on anything is like chasing a ghost .. you see it, you know where it is, but when you grab it, it disappears.

 

You can come to an HOA Board meeting. If not, their phone numbers and email addresses are all listed on page 2 of every Newsletter.

 

When is the next meeting and where?

 

July 10th - 530pm Nature Center

 

I was unable to attend the last board meeting, and am extremely frustrated as VM is not returning my call or email.

Can one of our board members raise it to them so that we can:

1. Have a view as to what is planned
2. Understand the proposed timeline

Summer is slipping away fast.................... Building a playground should take a couple of days...........

 

Ha. VM taking or even returning calls is a remote possibility at best.